MU men’s hoops: Hawks add seven-footer for 2010-12

Monmouth’s “”mystery” big man is – seven-foot-1, 245 pound St. John’s transfer Phil Wait. MU Mystery Coach had him pegged as one of the possibilities a while back…

.

Wait, 22, from England, has enrolled at Monmouth and is expected to attend classes at MU Tuesday.

Wait played in 11 contests as a rookie big man in 2008-09, averaging 1.3 rebounds
in 5.1 minutes per outing.

Though a first-year player and considered a freshman
academically this past season, Wait will have only two years of eligibility remaining at MU
beginning in 2010-11.

.

Prior to 2008-09, the NCAA granted him three years of
eligibility because of his participation in organized competition at Gran Canaria
Academy (Spain) in 2007-08, after reaching 21 years of age.

His stats from last season…

Per Game

Team

G

GS

MPG

PPG

RPG

APG

SPG

BPG

TOPG

PFPG

FG%

3P%

FT%

2008-09

StJn

11

0

5.1

0.5

1.3

0.2

0.0

0.3

0.2

0.6

.300

-

-

Career

11

0

5.1

0.5

1.3

0.2

0.0

0.3

0.2

0.6

.300

-

-

Totals

Team

G

GS

Min

FGM

FGA

3PM

3PA

FTM

FTA

OR

TR

A

Stl

Blk

TO

PF

Pts

2008-09

StJn

11

0

56

3

10

0

0

0

0

4

14

2

0

3

2

7

6

Career

11

0

56

3

10

0

0

0

0

4

14

2

0

3

2

7

6

As yu can see he hardly got off the bench…but he is a Big East transfer. I have no iea of his ability other than MU thinks very highly of him

Below from the St. John’s web site prior to last season…

On Wait: A long, talented, mature true big man … possesses the ability to score over both shoulders and in a variety of ways … is an adept passer out of the post and owns a solid jumper to 15-feet … the=2 0tallest member of the Red Storm at 7-1, he is originally from Manchester, England … gained 15 pounds since his arrival on campus in July and continues to add muscle strength, despite being hampered slightly by a minor knee strain … though a freshman academically, was granted three years of eligibility by the NCAA; the ruling was made because he participated in organized competition at Gran Canaria Academy (Spain) after reaching 21 years of age.

Norm Roberts On Wait: “Phil had a slight setback with his knee and had to rest it for four to five weeks during the summer, but that has helped in some ways because it allowed him to be in the weight room twice a day during the offseason. He has gained weight since joining our program, and he knows he has to build up his upper and lower body strength. He is going to bring some things to us which allows us to have a `three-headed center.’ Where Dele Coker gives us a physical, athletic presence, and Tomas [Jasiulionis] is heavy and experienced inside, Phil gives us length, the ability to score and great post-passing. His potential is unlimited as he adds strength and more confidence.”

Before St. John’s: Spent the 2007-08 season at the Gran Canaria Basketball Academy off the coast of Spain, following two years in prep school at Proctor Academy in Andover, N.H. … played for coach Gregor Makechnie for two seasons at Proctor in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), the same league as former Bridgto n Academy (Maine) stars and current St. John’s teammates Justin Burrell and Paris Horne … helped the Hornets to an appearance in the NEPSAC championship game as a junior in 2005-06, playing alongside Proctor teammate and current UConn guard Jerome Dyson … averaged 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds as a senior at Proctor in 2006-07.

Personal: Phillip Edwin Wait … born in Stockport, England … son of Donna Wait and the late Alan Wait … has one brother, Christopher (28) … chose to attend St. John’s because of its location in New York City … majoring in sport management.

Phil Wait came in to the Red Storm program as the mystery man from England, the man that Glenn Braica had been following (and it seems that Braica might be a decent recruiter, all things considered). He was tall, and even though he came in as a 21-year old “project,” one hoped that he would be a competitive player and show some skills.

But despite the thinness of the roster, Wait didn’t get much time. In fairness, one of the places the roster wasn’t very thin was at center, where forward Sean Evans started and Dele Coker and Tomas Jasiulionis backed up. And in some of those games against low-level opponents, St. John’s needed a second-half run to put the team away, or St. John’s was going with a faster pace and a run.

Even when Coker was suspended for the rest of the season for not fulfilling his academic responsibilities, Wait didn’t see the floor. The Johnnies certainly found themselves on the wrong side of some blowouts that the British center could have played in. Then again, when he did play, he often seemed out of position, unsure of his game, and not yet strong enough to be affective Big East post player. And Wait’s height would not have been a help; the problems were often turnovers/ ballhandling and a lack of scoring.

He’s 22 now, not entirely immobile/ stiff, and though he didn’t get on the court, his height should allow him to be a decent rebounder.
He doesn’t come with big hops, but maybe in Jersey, his wandering basketball career can lay down some roots.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Phil Wait should have been logging 15 minutes per game. But maybe theRed Storm didn’t have a chance to see what he could do; and if he was not ready enough to contribute, they could have redshirted him. But what’s done is done; we wish the best for Phil Wait.

Advisory _ The Press has me covering the Lakewood BlueClaws for the balance of this week…NJ Gannett men’s hoops writer Jerry Carino may be doing a story which will run in the Press Wednesday..and on this blog of course. Jerry also has a blog and may have seen Wait play last year..

to cisco – Re scholarships – I think one is correct..I believe they will be looking for a PG

About this Blog

Josh Newman on Monmouth University and local college athletics

About the Author

Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004, covering a variety of high school beats in addition to college sports and the New York Jets. A 2004 graduate of Springfield College, he is currently the beat reporter for Monmouth University.E-mail Josh

Sherlon ChristieSherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press. He joined the Press in the fall of 2004. He grew up in Massachusetts and has a BA in journalism from Northeastern University's School of Journalism. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.E-mail Sherlon

Steve EdelsonSteve Edelson has been covering the area sports scene for more than 25 years. And while he has chronicled the accomplishments of many athletes, he's still patiently waiting for his first hole-in-one.E-mail Steve

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